I was looking for an interesting topic to post about and Andrew suggested that I look at similar movies that are released shortly after each other. I figured how hard could it be, sure there are probably a few examples. I thought of about 5 or so right off the top of my head. We’ll after some searching I discovered that Hollywood really enjoys releasing similar movies. This isn’t a definitive list but it shows just how many times this has happened. The one that is bold is the one that I think is worth seeing (there are a few where I haven’t bolded either or have bolded both).
Flushed Away (2006) and Ratatouille (2007)
I’ve seen Flushed Away and I actually really enjoyed it once it got past the initial childish humour. I really think it is a shame that Aardman and Dreamworks aren’t going to be continuing as partners as Flushed Away is way better than the newest Shrek movie. Rataouille isn’t out yet but it is a Pixar flick and that means it will be good.
The Black Dahlia (2006) and Hollywoodland (2006),
Both were released only a week apart
and while I didn’t really mind The Black Dahlia it was a bit too slow and just didn’t tell a real interesting story. Hollywoodland on the other hand did an excellent job of keeping me entertained and told a very good story. If you can only see one check out Hollywoodland.
Over the Hedge (2006) and Open Season (2006)
I don’t care what anyone says I actually hate Open Season and it is solely for the point that I disagree with the G rating it received. At one point the hunter is running around with a huge buck knife trying to hack the deer to pieces. Now I don’t mind my 4 year old seeing bug bunny type humour but the violence was too real to him and I it ruined any enjoyment I might have gotten from it. Over the Hedge was a half decent CGI movie. It didn’t rank up their with Pixar work but it was still good enough to keep me amused and my son enjoyed it.
Turistas (2006) and Hostel (2006)
I have no intention of ever seeing Turistas. I saw Hostel and I actually enjoyed it a bit. The reason I enjoyed it wasn’t because of the sex or the violence but because of how the main character acted in the end. The twist ending was interesting enough that I can recommend it.
Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2005), and Hustle and Flow (2005)
I haven’t seen either movie but I am tempted to see Hustle and Flow simply for the music. I loved the soundtrack for Black Snake Moan and I’m curious to see if Craig Brewer scores it as well as he did for BSM.
The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) and Requiem (2006)
Here are another two movies that I haven’t seen and I don’t really have an opinion on either.
Happy Feet (2006) and Surf’s Up (2007)
Surf’s Up isn’t out yet but it looks kinda cute so I’ll probably watch it with my kid. Happy Feet annoyed me with its bizarre message during the second half. If something is cute then it is worth saving otherwise who cares about destroying the environment. I enjoyed the first half but the second was just weird and with its message it is hard for me to recommend.
Flight 93 (2006) and United 93 (2006)
I haven’t seen either yet. I’ve purchased United 93 on DVD so I guess that would be the one I recommend and I know Andrew will second the recommendation and he has actually seen it. 
The Illusionist (2006) and The Prestige (2006),
Both were released in 2006. Andrew is going to be annoyed with me for this but I enjoyed The Prestige much more than I did The Illusionist. The magic in the Illusionist just seemed to fake. It really needed to explain how he magic worked for me plus I also hated the ending. Both myself and the person I was with comment on how we were both waiting for the big Kaiser Soze reveal. The Prestige on the other hand told a great story about obsession. The magic was all explained well even even if it isn’t really possible and I thought the twists were excellent. Every time I thought I had figured it all out something else happened which made me realize that I was close but off by just a bit.
Capote (2005) and Infamous (2006)
Capote is worth watching for Phillip Seymour Hoffman alone. I can’t say much more in a comparison since I’ve yet to see Infamous.
Æon Flux (2005) and Ultraviolet (2006)
I don’t plan on seeing either and I think I’m better off for that plan.
Madagascar (2005) and The Wild (2006)
I’ve seen both and other than the Penguins in Madagascar both movies have left my memory. I guess that means both of them weren’t that good but they also couldn’t have been that bad.
Sky High (2005) and Zoom (2006)
I don’t really want to see either of these Super Hero comedies and to tell you the truth I’m somewhat dreading when my kid gets older and wants to see these bad live action comedies.
The Cave (2005) and The Descent (2005)
I know that both are movies about monsters in caves. I’ve seen The Descent and highly recommend it. I love the feeling of claustrophobia it creates. I’ve never seen The Cave as the reviews were enough to keep me from wanting to.
Elektra (2005) and Catwoman (2004)
I hate to say it but I’ve seen Elektra. I really want those 90 some minutes back and if I got them back I can guarantee I wouldn’t be using them to ever watch Catwoman.
Garden State (2004) and Elizabethtown (2005)
I’m pretty sure I should see these. I’m not sure why since I don’t know too much about them but I’ve heard the names enough that they must be good.
Home on the Range (2004) and Barnyard (2006)
Here are another two forgettable CGI movies. About the only thing I really have to say is that I love how all the cows in Barnyard are male and female. Why confuse the kids with adding Bulls into the mix? I guess if you have to see only one of them check out Barnyard for the dancing creature.
Finding Nemo (2003), Shark Tale (2004) and Shark Bait (2006)
Finding Nemo is an wonderful CGI movie, actually change that I think its a wonderful movie overall. I rank it right up there with Pixar’s best. Shark Tale was meh and I’ve never heard of Shark Bait till now.
Phone Booth (2002) and Liberty Stands Still (2002)
I really enjoyed the concept of Phone Booth. I can’t say I was sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time but at least the concept was cool. I have not see Liberty Stands Still. I’ll go with a mild push towards Phone Booth till I either see Liberty Stands Still or hear something good about it.
Mission to Mars, Red Planet, and Ghosts of Mars were all released in 2000 and 2001
The first two of these are totally blending together for me and I haven’t seen John Carpenter’s Ghost of Mars so I don’t really want to recommend any of these. If you want to check out a cool Mars movie I’d point you to a mini series from back when I was a kid. I can’t remember the title of it but all I remember is that when the astronauts arrive at Mars they find their dead relatives living there. I’ll see if I can track down what it was and truthfully it was probably pretty bad but at least I have one memory from that show.
Dark City (1998), The Thirteenth Floor (1999), eXistenZ (1999) and The Matrix (1999)
Skip The Thirteenth Floor and watch the rest. They are all good. Dark City is cool noirish science fiction, eXistenZ is Cronenburg and Matrix is just good dumb fun science fiction.
The Truman Show (1998) and EdTV (1999)
I didn’t really enjoy The Truman Show and I’ve never seen EdTV so I’d say go watch Dark City.
A Bug’s Life and Antz, released in 1998
I really enjoyed the retelling of Seven Samurai using bugs. I can’t remember a single thing about Antz (other than I think Woody Allen is in it) so go with the Dreamworks flick.
Deep Impact and Armageddon, released in 1998
I hated Armageddon and never saw Deep Impact so go see Dark City. 
Sliding Doors and Run Lola Run, released in 1998
Run Lola Run is one of the classic culty type movies I love showing people who haven’t seen it before. It is a great movie about the impact of a single small event on the day of a woman. Sliding Doors just did not interest me at the time. Am I wrong should I be checking it out?
Elizabeth and Shakespeare in Love, released in 1998
My wife enjoyed Shakespeare in Love and I thought it was good. For some reason I just never wanted to see Elizabeth. Personally though I think the hype Shakespeare received was a bit more than it deserved but its still a pretty good movie.
Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line, in 1998
I’d really suggest seeing them both. I think the first 20 minutes make Saving Private Ryan worthwhile. The rest is good but no where near as good as the beginning. Thin Red Line is a much more complicated better told war movie in my opinion. If you can only see one see Thin Red Line but I think everyone should see the opening of Saving Private Ryan at least once.
Dante’s Peak and Volcano, released in 1997
Guess what, I say skip them both. I haven’t seen either and I don’t think I’ll ever spend the time watching them.
Independence Day and Mars Attacks, two alien-invasion movies released in 1996
These two are totally different type movies. Independence Day pretty much takes everything I despise about big summer blockbusters and does them all perfectly. Mars Attack is a fairly amusing take on the whole alien b-movie from the 50s and 60s that I have fond memories of. No I’m not that old but I used to watch them late night on TV.
Babe and Gordy, released in 1995
I think everyone will easily say that Babe is the better movie. I think James Cromwell performance actually steals the show from the animals. I really should buy Babe actually.
Twister and Tornado!, both released in 1996
Did I really enjoy Twister, no not really except for the flying cow. Tornado! really just came across as a rip off of Twister and since that movie didn’t really do it for me I don’t think I’ll ever check out the lesser version.
Tombstone (1993) and Wyatt Earp (1994)
I know I’ve heard that Tombstone is a good movie but I seriously can’t remember it. I think I’m going to revisit is in the near future. I don’t really remember Wyatt Earp but I know I’ve seen it also. I don’t think it receives the praise that Tombstone does so I think I’ll just leave it at that.
1492: Conquest of Paradise and Christopher Columbus: The Discovery, released in 1992
Another two movies that I’ve seen but can’t remember much about. I think I’ll go with 1492 because it doesn’t have Tom Selleck as King Ferdinand.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Robin Hood were both released in 1991
I’m sorry I sort of like Prince of Thieves. Its one of those guilty pleasure type movies for me. The Robin Hood with Patrick Bergin just fades into memory for me. It was okay but nothing special. Although, if I was really wanting to watch some good Robin Hood action I’d check out the BBC TV series Robin of Sherwood from 1984. It combines the story of Robin Hood with Pagan mythology in a cool way.
Lambada (1990) and The Forbidden Dance (1990)
I’m sorry, dance movies just aren’t my think so if you want to see one feel free too see them and then let me know which is better.
Platoon (1986), Full Metal Jacket (1987) and Hamburger Hill (1987) all featured US soldiers in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Later, Born on the Fourth of July and Casualties of War were released in 1989
The Abyss, Deepstar Six, Leviathan, The Evil Below, and Lords of the Deep were all released in 1989
I’ve actually seen Deepstar Six and Leviathan and I can say compared to The Abyss they are terrible. Of course I don’t really consider The Abyss to be a monster movie which is more of what Deepstar Six and Leviathan are. I’ve never seen The Evil Below or Lords of the Deep. I’m am interested to see the director’s cut of The Abyss with the alternate ending. I’ve heard it is a much better ending.
The Secret of My Succe$s (1988) and Working Girl (1989)
I haven’t seen either. I’ve heard some good things about both. I think